CHAPTER 6

Monica and Andrew went to the kitchen and the blond angel watched as she prepared their drinks. He was still observing the house details and wondering if his beloved angel was really alright and happy working on that assignment. Once she was finished, she brought two full mugs of their favorite drinks and set them on the kitchen table.

"Here you are... I hope you like it..." She said, taking a seat opposite him.

Andrew reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "If you made it, then it's perfect, angel." He said, and then took a sip of the chocolate she had so carefully prepared him. She was doing everything she could to please him, and he would never say something to disappoint her - never again. "Hum... Monica, you really have been practicing!"

The sweet smile back at him was his best reward. "Thank you."

"So, how is the assignment going?" He wanted to know.

Monica let out a small sigh at that question. "Well... actually... I don't know how. She seems a fine young lady, she has a loving family who she talks with almost every day, a devoted boyfriend, a nice job... she is a good professional and has just started a brilliant career. We've talked many times already and so far I cannot tell you why she needs an angel."

"Hum... Some human beings can be intriguing sometimes. Hasn't she ever complained about anything to you? Anything that's bothering her?"

"Well... just things from work. We've been working on this new article and she doesn't like a man who is involved in the story we're covering..."

"Is there any special reason for that?" he wanted to know, his natural concern about the little angel already showing its first signs.

Monica let out a small sign. "I don't know. I guess I get to watch over a young lady who is very anxious to see her work accomplished and who sometimes wants things to happen too fast."

The blond angel nodded his head and then let go of his mug to cover her small hand. "I trust you will get through her heart soon. I think the Father couldn't have chosen a better angel for this."

She looked deep inside his green pools, and he could see the bittersweet emotions that had been running through her mind. "I don't want to sound selfish but I too hope I can help this young lady as soon as I can." Then, she lowered her eyes.

"Monica? Is there anything wrong?" he wanted to know, frowning with concern.

The little angel turned her eyes to him once again and sighed. "I love fulfilling the Father's work and taking His message to the ones who need it, but I also miss... all the ones I love and everything that makes me smile when I'm sad or worried..."

Those words were like a punch in his stomach, and he squeezed the hold around her small hand. "Monica, you're the most selfless soul I've ever met... And you're not the only one who is missing the ones you love, angel."

He wanted to say something else, but gave it up due to the intensity of their loving gaze. Despite sad memories from a recent past and some hurtful words, there was no doubt that their love was there, as alive and yearning as the little child Monica had seen in the park a while ago. The Irish angel's eyes were soon filled with tears and they were threatening to fall when Andrew reached up and stopped a tear from rolling down her cheek. She leaned on his touch, treasuring the affectionate way he cupped her face in the palm of his hand. The blond angel could see there was sadness in the spark of those sweet brown eyes, and he just wanted to send it away. He loved her so much and prayed, with all his faith, that someday his love would only bring her joy; never the sorrow he could see now.

Silence was suddenly broken by the telephone ringing, and Monica lowered her head again. "Excuse me..." she said, almost in a whisper, and then rose to her feet.

Andrew watched as she left the kitchen towards the living room and only when she disappeared through the door did he speak again. "I love you so much, angel..."

"... you can be calm, your keys are right here on the coffee table. You probably forgot them as we left for work together early in this morning... No, it won't be a bother; I can stay up watching some TV or reading a magazine until you arrive... Okay, then, goodbye..."

When Monica hung up the phone, Andrew was standing just a few steps away from her, also in the living room. "It was my assignment. She forgot her keys and was asking me to wait for her to arrive, so that I can open the door." She explained, even though he had listened to part of the conversation.

The blond angel nodded his head with a slight smile in the corner of his lips. Then, he gave a few steps towards her and reached for her hand, holding it with both of his own hands. "I wish I could keep you company, but I've just been called."

Her breath caught in her throat as he said that. It was always sad to watch him leave, but now, for some strange reason, watching him go away from her was causing her so much anguish she couldn't even breathe properly.

"I understand..." came the quiet answer, and now she looked at their entangled hands. "When do I see you again?"

Andrew took her hand to his lips and then kept it against his heart. "I don't know, my angel. But there's something I want you to be sure of... Wherever I am, I will be thinking of you; and if I get the chance to come and see you, even if it's just for a few seconds, I will. I don't mind if you are busy or even asleep in this pretty human form you have."

The tear he had stopped from falling a minute earlier made its way down her cheek now. "I miss you so much..." she murmured, softly and low.

He reached out and caressed her face and auburn hair with much love and deep tenderness. "Every second away from you is... like an eternity..."

Once again, they were hypnotized by each other's gaze, and this time nothing managed to interrupt the connection that was established between their souls. Andrew gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and even though he didn't speak, in his green eyes was the promise of everlasting, unconditional love.

Slowly, their faces inched closer and Monica felt his warm breath very close to her skin. It'd been a while since she last felt that soft contact and closeness. It was a time when they thought nothing would put their love in danger; a time to rejoice for being together again. It still was, actually, but now there were so many unsolved issues between them that it was inevitable not to feel a mix of guilt and anguish every time they wondered when things would be fine again between them.

Andrew treasured that moment as if it wouldn't be repeated anytime soon. The blond angel contemplated her meek features and rosy lips before he brushed a light, gentle kiss against them. It was a sweet and delicate caress, as she herself was, and only when Monica tilted her head and welcomed it, did he deepen the kiss, moving his hand to the back of her head, entangling his fingers through her hair.

Bittersweet tears of joy and sadness fell from her eyes as she closed them and surrendered to the kiss. In Andrew's arms, Monica knew nothing could harm her and all her troubles would suddenly disappear. She felt protected and much loved. She felt at Home.

When the kiss ended, the Irish angel reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, and her loving embrace was so tight that it not only brought him joy but also broke his heart. She didn't want him to leave and, as much as he loved accomplishing God's work, he too didn't want to stay away from his precious angel; his Monica.

"You have my promise, little angel, that it won't be long before I come back to see you again." He said, daring to tighten the embrace around her small form a bit more, breathing in the sweet perfume exhaling from her hair.

"I believe you..." she replied, and when they pulled away, his heart ached once again at seeing her reddened crying face. Andrew gently lay both hands on each side of her face. "Please, promise me you won't cry anymore?"

"I could try..." She sniffled.

With a slight smile he nodded and brushed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I love you forever, angel."

"I love you, Andrew..." she whispered, as he disentangled from their embrace and kissed both of her hands.

And through tear-filled eyes, she saw him disappear a second later.

The minutes turned into two hours as Monica glanced at the clock for the hundredth time. Annie had yet to show up and hadn't called back either and the little angel was starting to worry.

But at least worrying took her mind off of Andrew and how desperately she wanted him by her side for more than just a few minutes.

It was now after eleven o clock and Monica knew Annie should have been well on her way home by now. Picking up the phone, she dialed her friend's cell phone number and gave an exasperated sigh when she heard the voicemail pick up the call.

"Annie, it's me. Call me, please. I'm feeling a wee bit worried by how late you are." She had long since learned that leaving her name was rarely necessary with any assignment as her Irish lilt was usually identifying enough.

She strummed her fingers on the table for a moment before grabbing Annie's address book and looking up Phil's cell number. Punching in the numbers, she waited impatiently as she tried to remember all the times Tess had tried to teach her about patience.

"Hello?"

"Phil! It's Monica. Have you seen Annie? She hasn't come home yet tonight."

"Yeah. There's been a break in the case. She just called me. Can you meet me and we'll catch up with her? How 'bout at the corner deli a block from your place?"

Something in Phil's voice sounded urgent and Monica wondered just what the break in the case could be, "Yes, of course. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Be careful, okay?"

"Yes," She winced, remembering it was late and dark outside, "I will."

Phil clicked off his phone and gazed down at his feet where the now battered body of his girlfriend lied. Only the tiniest whimper from her allowed him to know she was still alive and he cursed under his breath in annoyance.

"Looks like I don't have time to finish what I started, Annie. Your pain of a roommate is worried about you. Guess I'll just have to take from her what I ran out of time to take from you."

Pulling a gun from his jacket pocket, he aimed it at her and pulled the trigger, shooting her in the abdomen. A strangled cry escaped her as she struggled for her breath, fingers clenching at her stomach to try to subdue the pain.

"Nooo," Annie moaned, "Leave her alone….please…."

He laughed and it was a bone chilling sound, "Sorry. I don't have time for you, but I can have her. It was nice knowing you, Annie. It's shame you'll never get a chance to write that headliner."

As he turned to leave, the glowing Angel of Death finally got a glimpse of his face and Andrew drew in a sharp breath. The face belonged to the man in the picture at Monica's apartment. This woman was Monica's assignment and this man….

Panic seized the angel as he realized it had been his angel who had called this murdering rapist moments ago and it was his angel that this criminal was going to meet. As Phil slammed out the door, Andrew waited breathlessly, wondering how long it would take before he could take Annie Home. He knew that God was watching over Monica, but that didn't make his need to do so as well any less.

Kneeling down next to the young women, Andrew whispered, "Fight, Annie. You can do it." His eyes were filled with sadness as he looked at her bruised and bloodied body, even as his own heart was racing with fear for Monica. He would not allow this man to harm a hair on her head.

A brief movement caused him to look down once more and in disbelief, he watched as Monica's assignment stretched out her arm slowly and reached for her dropped cell phone. Somehow, her trembling fingers managed to hit the three numbers and when a voice answered, she found the strength to whisper, "Help me….I'm at one North Midway Avenue…."

The Angel of Death said a quick prayer for her safety and then vanished from the room.